Isaiah 48:2

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves on the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.

American King James Version (AKJV)

For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves on the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.

American Standard Version (ASV)

(for they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; Jehovah of hosts is his name):

Basic English Translation (BBE)

For they say that they are of the holy town, and put their faith in the God of Israel: the Lord of armies is his name.

Webster's Revision

For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.

World English Bible

(for they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves on the God of Israel; Yahweh of Armies is his name):

English Revised Version (ERV)

For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; the LORD of hosts is his name.

Definitions for Isaiah 48:2

Stay - Support; something one relies upon.

Barnes's Isaiah 48:2 Bible Commentary

For they call themselves of the holy city - Of Jerusalem (see Isaiah 52:1; Nehemiah 11:1; Matthew 4:5; Matthew 27:53; Revelation 21:2-27). The word rendered 'for' here, (כי kı̂y) means, as it often does, "although"; and the sense is, although they call themselves of the holy city, they do not worship God in sincerity and truth. Jerusalem was called 'the holy city,' because the temple, the ark, and the symbol of the divine presence were there, and it was the place where God was worshipped. It was deemed sacred by the Jews, and they regarded it as sufficient proof of goodness, it would seem, that they had dwelt there. Even in Babylon they would pride themselves on this, and suppose, perhaps, that it entitled them to divine protection and favor.

And stay themselves upon the God of Israel - In time of danger and trial they profess to seek him, and to commit their cause to him.

The Lord of hosts is his name - (See the notes at Isaiah 1:9). The object of the prophet in here mentioning his holy name is, probably, to show them the guilt of their conduct. He was Yahweh, the source of all existence. He was the God of all the hosts of heaven, and all the armies on earth. How wicked, therefore, it was to come before him in a false and hypocritical manner, and while they were professedly worshipping him, to be really offering their hearts to idols, and to be characteristically inclined to relapse into idolatry!

Wesley's Isaiah 48:2 Bible Commentary

48:2 Though - They glory that they are citizens of Jerusalem, a city sanctified by God, to be the place of his true worship, and gracious presence. And stay - Not by a true faith, but a vain confidence.